Kyiv, Ukraine
The Far Caves are the first complex of caves on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. St Anthony (the founder of the Pechersk Monastery) settled in one of the Varangian Caves (now part of the Far Caves) around 1051. 12 monks gathered around St Anthony, new cells were arranged, and the organisation of the Far Caves began.
It was over the Far Caves that the wooden Pechersk Monastery was built under St Theodosius. The brethren moved there from the caves, numbering about 100 people. After that, the Near and Far Caves became a place of solitude for the ascetics and a burial place for the deceased brethren. St Theodosius and 48 other saints are buried in the Far Caves.
The depth of the caves is 10-15 metres. The length of the Far Caves is 293 metres, and the Varangian Caves are 200 metres.
Together with the Near Caves, they make up the so-called Lower Lavra.
The scanning was funded by the Aliph Foundation.
1 comment